Water-recycling technologies have been developed to reduce water consumption and surface runoff in horticultural operations. However, WRT may increase risk of disease from water-borne pathogens such as Pythium and Phytophthora. More information is needed about producers' management practices and attitudes regarding irrigation runoff containment and recycling. A mail survey was administered in February 2013 to horticultural nursery growers in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Collected were respondents' demographic characteristics plus irrigation and disease management practices. The survey incorporated a choice experiment quantifying willingness to adopt water recycling given hypothetical disease outbreak, water shortage probabilities, and percentage cost increases via a conditional logit model. Two hundred and sixty respondents provide valuable insight into horticultural production in the Mid-Atlantic region. We were unable to calculate the implicit price of water or disease for adoption because the sample of 91 respondents for the choice experiment yielded a flat distribution of operations ranging in $100 to $7 million in nursery cost. However, findings did support the hypothesis that producers will be more likely to adopt selected WRT when cost decreases, probability of disease decreases. Only 33% chose to adopt. Cost is the biggest factor as the majority of producers are not equipped to handle water recycling or capture and would go out of business due to the expense. Disease is also significant factor inhibiting growers from adopting. Until mandatory environmental regulations in place to force producers to contain runoff, or until incentivized cost sharing programs are implemented, wide spread adoption of water recycling technologies is unlikely to occur. / Master of Science

<p>  </p> <p><em>Santalum</em> spp., known globally as sandalwood, are highly sought after for their aromatic oil-rich heartwood and have been exploited throughout their range. Six of the 19 <em>Santalum</em> species are endemic to the main Hawaiian Islands, where they are known locally as ʻiliahi. Excessive harvesting led to the extirpation of Hawaiian sandalwood from 90% of its historic range by 1840. There is limited peer-reviewed literature concerning the propagation of Hawaiian sandalwood, and methods developed for other non-Hawaiian species cannot be directly adopted due to differences in sandalwood species physiology, available host species, and growing environment. This, combined with increased interest in growing Hawaiian sandalwood, prompts the need for the development of propagation protocols based on empirical research. The primary knowledge gaps in propagation include best practices for producing high-quality seedlings in the nursery (e.g., fertilizers and hosts) and silvicultural practices for maximizing outplanting survival and growth. The Hawaii Island endemic <em>Santalum paniculatum</em> has the largest remnant population and distribution and high commercial value, making it an ideal species to focus our study on. We conducted two experiments to evaluate the response of <em>S. paniculatum</em> seedlings to propagation methods employed with Australian and Indian sandalwood, although with species of hosts native to Hawaii. The first experiment was a nursery growth trial that evaluated the quality of <em>S. paniculatum </em>seedlings in response to nutrient availability (controlled-release fertilization, control), chelated iron fertilizer (applied, control), and species of pot host (<em>Acacia koa</em>, <em>Dodonaea viscosa</em>, control). The quality of seedlings was determined by measurements of height, root collar diameter, dry mass, root shoot ratio, chlorophyll index, and nutrient status (N & Fe concentration). Nutrient availability had the greatest impact on seedling quality and increased height, root collar diameter, dry mass, chlorophyll index, and nutrient status. Chelated iron fertilizer effectively improved seedling quality (height, collar, dry mass, chlorophyll content, and Fe concentration) in a nutrient-limiting environment, although a nutrient-rich environment diminished its effect with sufficient iron levels. The host species treatment had the least influence on seedling quality and only influenced haustoria formation by causing more haustoria in <em>A. koa</em>-paired compared to <em>D. viscosa</em>-paired and control seedlings. Although the pot host had the lowest effect on seedling quality during nursery propagation, it provided benefits in the field planting phase of the project.</p> <p>The second experiment of the project assessed the survival and performance of field-planted <em>S. paniculatum</em> in response to (1) nursery fertilization, (2) an <em>A. koa</em> pot host, and (3) an <em>A. koa </em>field host. Nursery fertilization had the greatest effect on performance and enhanced survival, height, height growth, collar, collar growth. The survival rate of unfertilized seedlings was 43.3% (± 5.9) compared to 86.9% (± 4.2) for fertilized seedlings. The pot host improved height, height growth, collar, collar growth of seedlings, but it did not influence survival. The intermediate field host significantly improved survival from 52.7% (± 7.8) to 78.0% (± 5.6) and only affected the height measurements and not the collar. There was a significant interaction between the field host and nursery fertilizer treatment associated with the fertilized seedlings planted with field hosts having lower water potential than the fertilized seedling planted without a field host. Our results demonstrated that supplemental nursery nutrition, pot hosts, and intermediate <em>A. koa </em>field hosts benefited <em>S. paniculatum</em> regeneration establishment in different ways. Furthermore, the effect of the hosting treatments may become more pronounced in the field over time as more haustoria connections are formed. This research project provides essential baseline information that helps to enhance the current methodology and inform future decision-making concerning the propagation of <em>S. paniculatum </em>and other Hawaiian <em>Santalum</em> species. </p>

An elasmobranch survey conducted from 2013-2018 in the waters adjacent to Pinellas County, Florida, was used for a baseline assessment of the local shark population. ArcGIS and Boosted Regression Trees were used to identify hot spots of abundance and links between environmental predictors and distribution, as well as create species distribution models. A diverse assemblage of sharks, dominated by five species: nurse shark, bonnethead, Atlantic sharpnose shark, blacktip shark, and blacknose shark, was identified. A large proportion of captures (~42%) were immature sharks. Results indicate areas characterized by seagrass and “No Internal Combustion Engine” zones correlate with greater diversity and abundance, particularly for immature sharks. BRT results underscored the importance of seagrass bottoms, as well as warm (>31℃) and shallow (< 6m) waters as essential habitat. By identifying spatially explicit areas and environmental conditions suited for shark abundance, this study provides practical resources for managing and protecting Florida’s sharks.

No description available.

No description available.

Årligen producerar svenska skogsplantskolor runt 400 miljoner plantor till skogsbruket.Lungmossan är ett av de stora ogräsen för de skogliga plantskolorna. Lungmossan breder utsig på plantbäddarna och omöjliggör hanteringen av plantorna. Idag finns det inget tillåtetbekämpningsmedel för att bekämpa lungmossa på marknaden. Behandling av bikarbonat i fastform har visat goda resultat men är svåra att genomföra i stor skala. I detta arbete harmöjligheten att bekämpa lungmossa med vattenlöslig bikarbonatbehandling studerats.Ett plantskoleförsök genomfördes i ett av Skogforsks växthus i Sävar. Försöket bestod av tvåförstudier och sedan ett huvudförsök med 9 olika försöksuppställningar. Totalt ingick 49Starpot 50 kassetter med 24–48 granplantor i varje. Resultatet visade att det går att behandlalungmossa med bikarbonat utblandat med vatten kortsiktigt, men att de skadorna som uppstårunder behandling på granplantorna gör metoden irrelevant. I stället bör vidare studier påbikarbonat i fast form undersökas.

M.S.

Urban and agricultural runoff is the principal contributor to non-point source (NPS) pollution and subsequent impairments of streams, rivers, lakes, and estuaries. Urban and agricultural runoff is a major source of sediment, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) loading to receiving waters. Coastal waters in the southeastern U.S. are vulnerable to human impacts due to the proximity to urban an agricultural land uses, and hydrologic connection of the Coastal Plain to receiving waters. To mitigate the impacts of urban and agricultural runoff, a variety of stormwater control measures (SCMs) are implemented. Despite the importance of the Coastal Plain on water quality and quantity, few studies are available that focus on prediction of nutrient and sediment runoff loads from Coastal Plain watersheds. The overall goals of my dissertation are to assess the effect of urban and agricultural watershed on coastal waters through monitoring and modeling, and to characterize treatment performance of SCMs. These goals are addressed in four independent studies. First, we developed the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) and the Hydrologic Simulation Program-Fortran (HSPF) models for an urbanized watershed to compared the ability of these two models at simulating streamflow, peak flow, and baseflow. Three separate monitoring and modeling programs were conducted on: 1) six urban land uses (i.e. commercial, industrial, low density residential, high density residential, transportation, and open space); 2) container nursey; and 3) a Coastal Plain retention pond. This study provides methods for estimating watershed pollutant loads. This is a key missing link in implementing watershed improvement strategies and selecting the most appropriate urban BMPs at the local scale. Results of these projects will help urban planners, urban decision makers and ecological experts for long-term sustainable management of urbanized and agricultural watersheds. / Doctor of Philosophy / Urban and agricultural runoff is a major source of sediment, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) loading to receiving waters. When in excess, these pollutants degrade water quality and threaten aquatic ecosystems. Coastal waters in the southeastern U.S. are vulnerable to human impacts due to the proximity to urban an agricultural landuse. To mitigate the impacts of urban and agricultural runoff, a variety of stormwater control measures (SCMs) are implemented. The overall goals of my dissertation are to assess the effect of urban and agricultural watershed on coastal waters through monitoring and modeling, and to characterize treatment performance of SCMs. These goals are addressed in four independent studies. First, we developed two watershed models the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) and the Hydrologic Simulation Program-Fortran (HSPF) to simulate streamflow, peak flow, and baseflow within an urbanized watershed. Three separate monitoring programs were conducted on: (1) urban land uses (i.e. commercial, industrial, low density residential, high density residential, transportation, and open space); (2) container nursey; and (3) a Coastal Plain retention pond. These studies provided methods for estimating watershed pollutant loads. Results of these projects will help urban planners and ecological experts for long-term sustainable management of urbanized and agricultural watersheds.

The present study was made in an attempt to determine what contributions the mid-morning feeding and the noon meal served children in a nursery school make toward the day's total intake of vitamin C and vitamin A.

<p dir="ltr">Maximizing growth performance in swine production, in the face of larger litter sizes and potential milk limitations, is crucial. This thesis explores the impact of various nutritional strategies, including creep feeding, dietary sweeteners, glutamine supplementation, sensory additives, and low crude protein diets on piglet lactation and nursery growth performance. Data in this thesis were analyzed using the GLM procedure in SAS 9.4. In the first study (Chapter 2), fifty-one sows and their litters (17/creep treatment) were used to evaluate the effects of creep feeding and nursery diets on piglet growth. Ten days prior to weaning, litters were assigned to three treatments: control creep feed (CF-CON), CON + garlic-based flavoring (50 ppm Allium XL; CF-ALL-XL), and no creep feed (NO-CF). Post-weaning, 506 pigs were allotted to either control (CON) or flavored (ALL-XL) nursery diets in a 3x2 factorial design with 10 pens/treatment, each containing 7 or 8 pigs. Nursery dietary treatments were fed in phases 1 and 2, followed by common phase 3 and 4 diets. Weekly body weights (BW) and feed intake were recorded to calculate average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed efficiency (G:F). Creep feeding treatment during lactation did not affect litter or piglet BW gain pre-weaning. ALL-XL did not affect total creep feed intake (CON=114 g/pig vs. ALL-XL=110 g/pig). Providing CF-CON or CF-ALL-XL during lactation increased ADFI on d 2, 3, and 4 post-weaning (P<0.013). Pigs fed either CF-CON or CF-ALL-XL increased week 1 nursery ADFI (8.8%; P<0.02), numerically increased ADG (5.2%), and greater d7 BW (P=0.055). Overall (d0-35), pigs fed CF-CON had greater ADG (P<0.05) and ADFI (P<0.05) than CF-ALL-XL with No-CF pigs being intermediate in ADG and greater ADFI (P<0.05) than CF-ALL-XL fed pigs. Final BW (P<0.05) was greater for CF-CON fed pigs than CF-ALL-XL fed pigs with No-CF pigs being intermediate (23.5 kg, 23.0 kg, 23.3 kg, respectively). Nursery dietary flavoring treatment (CON vs ALL-XL) did not affect post-weaning ADG, ADFI, or G:F at any point during the study (P>0.12). In the second study (Chapter 3), fifty-seven sows and their litters were used to test the effects of creep feed and a dietary sweetener (Taktik) on piglet lactation and nursery performance in low lactose diets. Six days prior to weaning, litters were assigned to either control creep feed (CF-CON), control + sweetener (50 ppm Taktik; CF-TAK), or no creep (No-CF). Post-weaning, 550 pigs were assigned to control (CON) or sweetened (Taktik, 50 ppm; TAK) nursery diets in a 3x2 factorial design with 10 nursery pens per treatment, each containing 9 or 10 pigs. There were no significant differences in litter weight, weight gain, or piglet weight during lactation due to CF treatment. However, CF-CON pigs tended to have higher litter feed intake (P=0.060) and ADFI per pig (P=0.059) during lactation. During the first week post-weaning, CF-CON pigs had higher ADFI (P<0.05), ADG (P<0.05), and d7 BW compared to CF-Tak pigs and No-CF pigs. During d 6-14 CF-CON pigs had greater ADG (P<0.05) and ADFI (P<0.05) than CF-Tak pigs and the No-CF pigs tended (P<0.10) to also have greater ADFI than CF-Tak pigs. Overall (d0-34), CF-CON pigs had higher ADG and ADFI compared to CF-Tak pigs (P<0.05) and No-CF pigs tended (P<0.10) to have greater ADG than CF-Tak pigs. There were no significant differences (P>0.15) in ADG, ADFI, or G:F between CON and TAK nursery diet treatments. In the third study (chapter 4), thirty-one sows and their litters were utilized to test the effects creep feed and nursery diets supplemented with or without glutamine on lactation and nursery performance as well as creep feeder type impacts. During lactation there were three dietary treatments: control creep feed (CF-CON), control creep feed + glutamine (0.40%; CF-GLUT), or no creep feed (No-CF). There were two creep feeder types: plastic (PLAST) or stainless steel (SS), that were evenly distributed between the creep feed treatments. Post-weaning 270 pigs were allotted to either control (CON) or control + glutamine (0.40%; GLUT) nursery diets with pigs previously given or not glutamine creep feed continuing to receive similar glutamine treatment in the nursery period and the No-CF pigs being evenly split to CON and GLUT nursery diets. Litter weights and creep feed intake were recorded on d -7 and 0 (weaning). During nursery there were 7 pens/treatment with 6 or 7 pigs/pen, blocked by initial BW within creep treatment. Neither glutamine creep feeding treatments affected litter or piglet weaning weights (P>0.24). Pigs given creep feed during lactation had increased ADFI during the first week post-weaning (P<0.03) but did not result in greater overall nursery growth performance. The inclusion of glutamine in creep feed or nursery diets did not improve growth performance at any point during the study. In the fourth study (chapter 5), 416 weanling pigs were used to test the effects of a sensory feed additive (SA; Luctamax) on control (CON) and low crude protein (LCP) nursery diets in a 2x2 factorial design (CON, CON+SA, LCP, LCP+SA) with 15 replicate pens of 6 or 7 pigs/pen. Decreased dietary CP (4%) was achieved by removing or decreasing fish meal and soy concentrate in phases 1 and 2 and reducing soybean meal in phase 3 and adding synthetic amino acids to maintain amino acid ratios (NRC 2012). The SA was included at 0.1% in Phase 1 and 2 diets and 0.05% in Phase 3 diets. During PH1 (d 0-7) pigs receiving the CON diets tended (P=0.065) to have a higher G:F compared to pigs receiving LCP diets. For the remainder of this study there were consistent interactions between dietary CP and SA. When SA was added to the LCP diet ADFI slightly increased but when SA was added to CON diet ADFI decreased and these changes in feed intake often led to similar dietary interactions in ADG. During PH2 (d 7-21), pigs fed CON or LCP+SA diets had higher ADFI (P=0.032) and tended to have a higher ADG (P=0.094) but reduced G:F (P=0.100) compared to pigs fed CON+SA or LCP diets. In PH3 (d 21-36), pigs fed CON or LCP+SA diets had a higher ADG (P=0.027) and ADFI (P=0.011) compared to CON+SA or LCP diets. During PH3 pigs fed LCP diets had higher ADFI (P<0.001) but reduced G:F (P<0.0001) than pigs fed CON diets. Overall (d0-36), pigs fed CON or LCP+SA diets had higher ADFI (P=0.016) and tended to have a higher ADG (P=0.059) but reduced G:F (P=0.067) compared to pigs fed CON+SA or LCP diets. For the entire nursery period, pigs fed CON diets had a higher G:F (P<0.001) compared to pigs fed LCP diets, while LCP pigs tended to have a higher ADFI (P=0.054) compared to CON pigs. Feeding LCP diets during PH2 decreased feed costs/kg of gain but feed cost were increased (P<0.0001) during PH3 when LCP diets were fed compared to CON diets. These studies highlight the potential benefits and limitations of various nutritional strategies in enhancing piglet growth performance. Creep feeding, dietary sweeteners, glutamine supplementation, sensory additives, and low crude protein diets can potentially influence post-weaning performance, but their effectiveness depends on specific conditions and formulations. Further research is needed to optimize these strategies for improved swine production efficiency.</p>